The ratings were solid rather than spectacular but bode well for the next two instalments, which hopefully will improve on the first.

For one of the best analysis of this frequently cringing dramatisation, see Jane Bowron’s review in today’s Dominion Post, in which she aptly likens it to “an extended advertisement for community strengthening”.

TV2 dominated earlier in the night with Shortland Street(11.4% – 16.7%), Police Ten-7 (11.4% – 12.6%) and Highway Patrol(10.8% – 12.3%) while low ratings for TV One’s RPA (2.2% – 4.3%) has prompted the network to dump it for new episodes of Restoration Man from July 17.